Redskins Free Agency Reset: Cornerbacks

Byron Jones signed a record-breaking contract with the Miami Dolphins, James Bradberry received his $15 million per year from the New York Giants and Chris Harris Jr. eventually agreed to a lucrative deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Those were far and away the top three cornerbacks, unsurprisingly, they are no longer on the open market.

Xavier Rhodes

A former first-round pick in 2013, Rhodes emerged as one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL over his first five seasons. His best years came in 2016, when he corralled a career-high five interceptions, and in 2017, when he earned first-team All-Pro honors as the Vikings' shutdown corner.

These recent struggles make Rhodes a cost-efficient candidate for a Redskins team that needs help on the outside. They could opt to give him a one-year deal, which would limit the risk while potentially setting up the defense for a significant reward.

Ronald Darby

Like Rhodes, Darby had been an above average NFL cornerback before struggling mightily in 2019.

Darby, a former second-round pick, won PFF's Defensive Rookie of the Year with the Buffalo Bills in 2015 and started 14 games during his sophomore campaign. And while he struggled to stay healthy upon joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017 -- he started 16 games over his first two seasons -- he still produced an above average coverage grade.

But this past season, he endured injury and performance issues. In the 11 games he played in, he ranked second-to-last with a 41.0 coverage grade of 119 qualifying cornerbacks.

The difference between Rhodes and Darby is that Darby is only 26 years old. The Redskins could sign him to a one-year deal, and if he can stays on the field and performs well, they could agree on a long-term extension.

Logan Ryan

Ryan is not a buy-low option like Rhodes and Darby.

Ryan only missed three games in three years with the Tennessee Ttians and was on the field for 99.1% of the defensive snaps this past season, when he recorded a team-high 113 tackles to go along with 4.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and four interceptions.

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Daryl Worley

Worley is not as accomplished as the first three cornerbacks listed, but he's only 25 years old and has a previous relationship with Rivera.

Worley, a third-round pick of the Panthers in 2016, had his best statistical season in Carolina. He appeared in all 16 games (11 starts) and totaled 87 tackles (62 solo), nine pass breakups and an interception. Plus, he was the 12th-best cornerback against the run, according to Pro Football Focus.﻿

The Oakland Raiders quickly signed Worley following his release, and he played well for the Raiders past two seasons. In 26 starts, Worley combined for 81 tackles, 15 pass breakups and a pair of interceptions.

Ross Cockrell

Cockrell, 28, is another player with Rivera ties.

Following stints in Buffalo, Pittsburgh and New York, the 2014 fourth-round pick signed a two-year contract with the Panthers. But during training camp that summer, he suffered a broken left tibia and fibula, which required surgery and landed him on Injured Reserve for the entire 2018 season.

Cockrell recovered to start 11 games last season and played wherever the Panthers needed him to. He made 62 tackles (48 solo), deflected eight passes and made two receptions.

"He's a very smart football player. A very smart young man, in fact," Rivera told the Panthers' team site last July. "I think the biggest thing is that he has a good skill set. I think we can utilize his ability to track the ball, play the ball, make a play on the ball. If the pass rush is what it is and it can be, we're looking for that guy that can make plays on the ball."

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